Dr. Alisa Madson took her love of science and combined it with her passion for art to go into the field of orthodontics. “I think it’s the perfect mix of art and science, and I’ve always been drawn to helping people, so I knew from a young age I wanted to be in healthcare,” she says.
She derives a lot of satisfaction from seeing the end results and how much lives can be impacted for the better by improving a smile. “It's the most rewarding thing to me,” says Dr. Madson. “A lot of our patients are teenagers, and so it’s already a transformative time for them. I just had a patient who’s halfway through treatment and looking really good, and her mom said she actually smiles now. If you're too shy to smile, it's really hard to connect with people. When someone’s treatment is completed, they can feel like a whole different person.”
In dentistry for almost 20 years (15 of those as an orthodontist), she’s the owner of Pura Vida Orthodontics in St. Louis Park, Spring Lake Park and Lino Lakes. During this time, she has seen many advances in the field. “It’s much different than it used to be, and we have the most advanced technology to appropriately diagnose the issues and to provide care in the most comfortable and efficient manner.”
At Pura Vida, all orthodontic plans are customized to allow for this faster and more efficient treatment. “Patients don’t have to come in every four weeks to get their wires tightened,” she says. “Now we can see them every few months, or sometimes even every six months, depending on the plan.” They can do remote monitoring for some checkups so patients don’t even have to leave home.
The diagnostic tools are also much better. “We have 3D imaging of the face and head, and we can do 3D models so we don't have those goopy impressions anymore. As technology has evolved, patient comfort has significantly increased.”
There’s also a lot more emphasis on the development of the face and mouth and less emphasis on just making straight teeth. “We look at the person as a whole,” says Dr. Madson. “We know how much the mouth and face can affect overall health, and we tie all that together for a more holistic approach rather than just an oral focus.”
If the teeth aren't in the right position, she explains, people can be at increased risk for cavities, gum disease, and excessive wearing of the teeth. If the jaws are not the right size or the right shape, overall health can be affected. “If someone’s mouth is way too small, there’s less room for the tongue, which can possibly lead to a greater chance of developing sleep apnea.”
Preventative steps are also important, so it’s critical for children to start orthodontic treatment early. “When kids are young, we have a much easier time developing the arches and can actually do some early interventions that prevent more complex or aggressive plans in the future,” she says. “So, we like to see every kid by age seven or even earlier.”
If a child doesn’t need any treatments at the moment, they will just monitor them until it’s time. “We have a growth monitoring program called the Turtle Club that allows us to track the best timing based on the child's growth.”
Even young kids are great candidates for clear aligners. “Aside from the comfort and appearance, it's just so much easier for the child to take care of their teeth,” says Dr. Madson. “They don't have to floss underneath the wires, or worry about eating something too sticky or hard that's going to break braces off.” The vast majority of kids, even as young as age six, can use clear aligners responsibly and effectively.
Patients don't need a referral from a dentist to visit Pura Vida Orthodontics. Free screenings are provided for people of all ages, and the initial consultation is also completely free of charge.
Dr. Madson and the other two orthodontists, Dr. Angela Bukstein and Dr. Josh Padavano, work very well together. “We all share a similar philosophy, and we all use the same technology.”
While Drs. Madson and Bukstein grew up in the Twin Cities Metro area, Dr. Padovano is from Chicago and now lives in St. Louis Park. All three love to give back to the community.
“We always do a service project every year, and this year we went to the Humane Society and made dog and cat toys,” says Dr. Madson. “In years past, we've done Feed My Starving Children.”
In July, the practice hosted a patient appreciation event where patients enjoyed mini golf and bumper boats. “We've also done movie days before,” she says. “We just really want to be involved.”
1673 W End Blvd., St Louis Park | PuraVidaOrtho.com | 763-784-0420